Rifampin (RIF) is one of the front-line drugs in therapy of tuberculosis (TB). The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of mycobacteria has greatly contributed to the increased incidence of TB. Nano-based formulation of several antimicrobials has been shown to improve either antibacterial efficacy or pharmacokinetic behavior. In this study, RIF-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared by a modified microemulsion-based method and their particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, and antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium fortuitum were evaluated. The resulting SLNs were spherical with diameter of about 100 nm, with low negative zeta potential, and an encapsulation efficiency of 82%. The formulation also sustained the drug release for 72 h. The antimycobacterial efficacy was greatly improved against M. fortuitum, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of drug-loaded SLNs was eight times less than free RIF. Drug-free SLNs and the ingredients showed no antibacterial effect. It can be concluded that as expected, solid lipid nanoparticles are promising vehicles for enhanced antimycobacterial effect of rifampin.

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